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Sharon Writes Miel the Love Letter Every Queer Person Needs From Parents

'She will always have my support and love. No big deal.'
by Clara Rosales
Just now
Photo/s: Sharon Cuneta
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Megastar Sharon Cuneta on Wednesday expressed full support for her daughter Miel Pangilinan via Instagram, who recently came out as queer during Pride Month—a display of acceptance that many in the Filipino LGBTQ+ community crave.

Posting a photo of Pangilinan holding up a rainbow flag, Cuneta said her daughter "like so many members of the LGBTQ+ Community, did not choose to be queer. She just is."

EXPLAINER: Pride is Forever: How to be a Good Ally to the LGBTQIA+ Community

"I believe God doesn’t make mistakes. So many of the most sincere and most decent people I know are also LGBTQ+ and I love them for all that they are," Cuneta said.

"What’s next is that I will have a happier daughter who is now “free” and will always be a good person with a good heart - and still always courageous," she added.

Pangilinan, who identifies as queer, called the moment "cathartic" after spending countless sleepless nights during her childhood and teenage years in search of clarity regarding her identity.

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"It only feels right that I post this at the point I’m in now where I’m comfortable enough in who I am and who I love and how I choose to present. It’s kind of a full circle moment for me, in a way," she said.

"She is cute in that her crushes on boys especially in K-Pop are genuine. And if she likes girls that’ll be genuine too. She will certainly be treated no different by us her family and those who truly love her. I will love her just the same, if not more," Cuneta said.

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An uphill battle

Filipino members of the LGBTQ+ community are blazing trails, but continue to face discrimination, hate, and harassment from people who don't understand their identity or purposefully believe their existence is wrong — family members included.

"I’m endlessly thankful to my close friends and family who have supported me and shown me love as I’ve grown and explored my own gender and sexual identity," Pangilinan said.

Unlike Pangilinan, many in the community are yet to be accepted at home and in society. To prevent shame, abuse, and threat, some in the community have chosen to live their lives in the "closet" or never come out.

"I’m also incredibly thankful that I am able to safely celebrate my identity this year, as I know there are many of people in this country that don’t have the same privilege," she added.

Even popular figures in the community, like comedian and host Vice Ganda, said he was initially told to tone down how he presented and encountered discrimination from a director early on in his career.

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MORE ON VICE: Vice Ganda Says It's Time to Drop 'Kahit' When Loving the LGBTQ

"We’ve got a long way to go in terms of our fight for equality, but that is not to discredit the work and sacrifices made by queer Filipinos throughout history and in the present day, who have done so much to make our voices heard and have helped us go farther than where we were before."

"I’ve also got a lot to learn and understand as a newer member of the Filipino queer community, and I’m trying my best to educate myself on current situations and present issues relating to gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights in our country, and I am always open to learn as much as I can especially from other figures in our community," Pangilinan said.

ALSO READ: How #YesToSOGIEBill Benefits Everyone, Not Just LGBT

"I may be a Mom with traditional values, but that doesn’t mean that my mind is too tiny to accept people for what they are - what more my own child? What matters in a person is their goodness. Sincerity, pureness of heart. Faith in God. In Miel, I have all those," Cuneta said.

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"I am proud of my girl and always will be. Needless to say, she will always have my support and love. No big deal. I love you, my Yellie," she said.

Cuneta ended her post with a reassurance that her daughter will always have her love and support. "It’s your life, no one else’s. Don’t give any negative commenters any attention. They don’t matter. We do. And we’ve got your back. Forever and ever."

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